University Assistant (prae doc)

We offer a PhD (“prae-doctoral”) position in the field of atmospheric clouds. The position will be embedded in the research group of Ass.-Prof. Manfred Dorninger on experimental meteorology.

The starting date is 1 October 2022. The announcement is made for three years, whereby the employment relationship is initially limited to 1.5 years and is automatically extended to a total of three years, unless the employer submits a declaration of non-renewal after a maximum of 12 months. Extension to four years might be possible in mutual agreement if funds are available and if the successful candidate has shown her*his high abilities.

Clouds are the visible result of dynamic and thermo-dynamic processes going on in the atmosphere. The description of cloud processes in Numerical Weather Prediction models has improved dramatically within the last decade. The correct timing and location of clouds is crucial e.g., for a correct precipitation forecast, for climate and climate change, ceiling and visibility, and sun shine duration in connection with renewable energy production. However, information about the 3D-structure of the clouds is lacking in the observations, e.g. for a 3D verification of cloud forecasts.

The PhD student will select and further develop machine and deep learning methods to quantify the cloud type from cloud images. The cloud type will be used as a substitute for the unmeasured vertical extension of the clouds. She*he will organize the training data set, select and test machine and deep learning methods, train and evaluate the selected methods.

This position will be part of the Vienna Network for Atmospheric Research (VINAR), a collaboration between the University of Vienna and ZAMG (https://vinar.univie.ac.at/ ). The student will have access to data and models used at ZAMG and the research will be conducted in close collaboration with ZAMG.

The successful candidate will be member of the Vienna International School of Earth and Space Sciences VISESS (https://visess.univie.ac.at/ ).

Besides research, the successful candidate is also expected to participate in teaching and the supervision of students as well as in science related administrative tasks.

Financial support is available for attending international meetings and visiting international research partners.

Participation in research, teaching and administration:
• Development and application of machine and deep learning methods for cloud type analysis
• Scientific publications and presentations;
• Participation in teaching and independent teaching of courses as defined by the collective agreement as well as supervision of students
• Support of collaboration activities in the Vienna Network for Atmospheric Research;
• Involvement in the organisation of meetings / conferences / symposiums and in the department administration as well as in teaching and research administration;
• We expect the successful candidat Participation in research, teaching and administration:
• Development and application of machine and deep learning methods for cloud type analysis
• Scientific publications and presentations;
• Participation in teaching and independent teaching of courses as defined by the collective agreement as well as supervision of students
• Support of collaboration activities in the Vienna Network for Atmospheric Research;
• Involvement in the organisation of meetings / conferences / symposiums and in the department administration as well as in teaching and research administration;
• We expect the successful candidate to sign a doctoral thesis agreement within 12 months.